Chương 50: This humble Taoist priest, Zhang Jiao, begs the great man to his death.

Dong Zhuo looked at Liu Bei. He knew that Liu Bei was Lu Zhi's student, somewhat capable, but lacking background and power.

They can be used as pawns; if they win, it's because of their own command; if they lose, they'll take the blame.

Liu Bei volunteered to be the vanguard in this dangerous mission, which Liu Bei was naturally happy to see, as it would be a good opportunity to use them to test the strength of the Yellow Turban army and deplete the enemy's forces.

So he waved his hand dismissively and said in a show of generosity:

"Excellent! I am very pleased with Xuande's courage! The vanguard position is now entrusted to you three brothers! I hope you will live up to expectations and achieve the greatest merit!"

"Thank you, General!"

Liu Bei clasped his hands in a fist salute again, his eyes resolute, and led Fang Yue and Wang Shuang out of the tent to prepare.

A few days later, outside Guangzong City, war drums sounded, and the Han army launched a large-scale offensive.

The three brothers, Liu Bei, Fang Yue, and Wang Shuang, were indeed brave, leading their vanguard like a sharp blade.

They charged straight into the Yellow Turban army's formation, fighting desperately, and for a time actually managed to suppress the Yellow Turban army's vanguard and open up the situation.

Fang Yue's long spear moved like a dragon emerging from the sea, Wang Shuang's swordsmanship was ruthless and domineering, and Liu Bei's double-edged swords parried left and right, which were also extraordinary.

Seeing this, Dong Zhuo, who was watching from the rear, had a glint of joy in his small eyes, feeling that his opportunity had come.

He immediately ordered his elite Xiliang infantry and cavalry to attack, attempting to expand the victory and crush the main force of the Yellow Turban army in one fell swoop.

Dust billowed across the battlefield, and the sounds of battle shook the heavens. The Han army initially gained the upper hand, and the Yellow Turban army suffered repeated defeats.

Dong Zhuo watched from the rear with great delight, as if he could already see the scene of conquering Guangzong, capturing and killing Zhang Jiao, and being promoted and ennobled.

However, just when he thought victory was in sight, a sudden change occurred!

Suddenly, a group of figures appeared on the tall city wall of Guangzong.

The leader, dressed in an apricot-yellow Taoist robe and wearing a Taoist crown, was thin and pale as paper.

He needed someone to help him stand, but his eyes were like deep pools, possessing a captivating power. He was none other than Zhang Jiao, the wise and virtuous teacher, who was suffering from a serious illness!

"A great and virtuous teacher! A great and virtuous teacher!"

"The Heavenly General has arrived!"

"The Blue Heaven is dead; the Yellow Heaven shall rise!"

When the Yellow Turban army below the city saw their pillar of strength appear, their previously low morale instantly ignited like dry tinder, erupting into earth-shattering cheers and shouts! At that moment, the power of faith transcended fear!

Zhang Jiao broke free from his support, and, with his weakened body straining, walked to the city wall.

He raised his trembling hand, pointed to the heavens, and with all his might, his voice, hoarse yet seemingly imbued with some strange power, echoed across the battlefield:

"The Blue Heaven is dead! The Yellow Heaven shall rise!"

"The year is Jiazi! Great fortune for the world!"

"I, Zhang Jiao, beg you, great man, to die!"

"May the Thunder God help me!!!"

After reciting the incantation-like prayer, he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed. Zhang Ning and the guards, who were quick-witted and agile, immediately supported him and carried him down from the city wall to rest.

This was his last struggle, a desperate attempt to exhaust his very life force.

But this brief appearance and that powerful shout had an unexpected effect!

As if in response to his call, the once clear sky suddenly became covered with dark clouds! The sky quickly darkened!

Immediately afterwards, a strong wind howled and whipped up a cloud of sand and dust, making it impossible for people to open their eyes!

Within the clouds, there were faint flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder, the booming sound sending shivers down one's spine!

"The heavens have changed! The Great Teacher has summoned heavenly thunder!"

"Heaven shall rise! Slaughter all the Han dogs!"

This sudden change in the celestial phenomena was undoubtedly clear evidence of the Great Teacher's boundless magical power in the eyes of the fanatical Yellow Turban Army!

Their morale soared to its peak! At the same time, Zhang Liang seized the opportunity and dispatched the most elite and fanatical force in the Yellow Turban Army—the Yellow Turban Warriors!

These tall, heavily armored, and fearless soldiers surged onto the battlefield like an iron torrent!

The sky darkened, the wind howled, and thunder roared. Coupled with the desperate charge of the Yellow Turban warriors, the situation on the battlefield was instantly reversed!

The Han army was stunned by this sudden change and the enemy's fierce counterattack. The advantage they had just gained vanished, and they began to retreat in disarray.

Dong Zhuo watched from the rear, dumbfounded and furious. He roared repeatedly, but he couldn't stop the rout.

A victory that seemed within reach turned into a crushing defeat in the blink of an eye.

After the troops returned to their camp, a somber atmosphere hung over the Han army. Dong Zhuo sat in the main seat, his face ashen, and remained silent.

He knew that the imperial court would definitely investigate this failure. He needed to find a scapegoat to take the blame.

His gaze swept over the generals, finally settling on Liu Bei, who stood at the very end, covered in blood and exhausted.

Dong Zhuo slammed his hand on the table, pointed at Liu Bei, and angrily shouted:

"Liu Bei! It's all your fault! Today's battle went poorly. As the vanguard, you failed to decisively defeat the enemy in one fell swoop, instead causing our army to be bogged down in a bitter struggle, ultimately leading to this crushing defeat and such heavy losses!"

"You, the vanguard, have seriously neglected your duties! You are utterly incompetent!"

"If it weren't for the fact that you are Lu Zhi's student, this general would have executed you today according to military law to uphold discipline!"

"Hmph, from this moment on, you get out of here and go to the rear camp. Your vanguard post is gone!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with shock, anger, and grievance. He opened his mouth, wanting to explain.

But seeing Dong Zhuo's undeniably fierce gaze and the indifferent or gloating expressions of the surrounding generals...

He swallowed his words back in the end, but clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms.

He led Fang Yue and Wang Shuang out of the main tent in silence.

For some time afterward, Dong Zhuo launched several more attacks, but Guangzong City remained impregnable under Zhang Liang's command and the high morale of the Yellow Turban army. The Han army suffered repeated defeats and made no progress.

July arrived quickly.

Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, in Luoyang, was furious when he received successive reports of Guangzong's defeat!

"Useless! Good-for-nothing! That fat bastard Dong Zhuo! I gave him military power to suppress Zhang Jiao, and what did he do? He just sent wave after wave of corpses to kill me! He lost soldiers and generals, and achieved nothing! He has utterly disgraced me!"

Enraged, Liu Hong issued an edict: Dong Zhuo was dismissed from all his posts, arrested and brought back to the capital, and handed over to the Court of Justice for severe interrogation! In the end (Dong Zhuo, through bribery), he was sentenced to a "one degree reduction in death penalty," losing his official position temporarily but saving his life.

After dealing with Dong Zhuo, Liu Hong immediately thought of his "lucky general" younger brother, and he promptly issued a new decree (roughly):

"Imperial edict to Liu Ce, General of the Southern Army and Imperial Envoy: Stop slacking off in Xiaquyang! Immediately, take your troops to Guangzong and take over that mess!"

"Lead all the remaining government troops and wipe out that evil Taoist Zhang Jiao for me! If you dawdle any longer, I'll deduct your salary!"

The imperial decree was to be delivered to Xiaquyang at full speed.